Picasso Drawing Included In 1MDB Forfeitures
The 1MDB scandal is one of the largest instances of corruption in history, and its fallout has been in the news for almost a decade. Now, the United States Department of Justice has confiscated a Picasso drawing used to conceal … More…
Russian Museum Charged For Nazi Messages
The Erarta Museum in St. Petersburg, a significant repository of Russia’s modern and contemporary art, is now at the center of a controversy. This esteemed institution, housing several thousand pieces from the 1950s to the present, is being accused of … More…
Yuan Dynasty Fish Jar Swims Far Beyond The Estimate
The atmosphere at Aste di Antiquariato Boetto in Genoa was electric when a 12-inch (30 cm) blue-and-white Chinese vase, initially valued at €2,000-2,300, was sold for more than 400 times the low estimate. The unexpected sale of this rare Yuan … More…
Napoleon’s Pistols Hit The Mark
Napoleon Bonaparte, one of history’s most renowned military leaders, rose to prominence during the French Revolution and became Emperor of France. His ambitious campaigns and strategic prowess expanded the French Empire across much of Europe. However, his invasion of Russia … More…
Botero In Rome
Starting last week, some of Rome’s public squares will feature the work of the late, great Colombian painter and sculptor Fernando Botero. The Botero a Roma exhibition features eight large sculptures on display in the public spaces of Rome’s historic … More…
The Barbizon School: Tree-Huggers & Trailblazers
In my series on the origins of modern art, I’ve looked at the predecessors that influenced the birth of Impressionism. The topics I’ve covered include the desire for greater artistic independence as exhibited by Gustave Courbet, the ways Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres … More…
Introducing “A Whisper” by Amanda Greive
We are thrilled to announce the arrival of Amanda Greive’s latest masterpiece, A Whisper. This evocative painting invites viewers to explore profound themes of legacy, hope, and the passage of wisdom across generations. Here, we delve into the intricate layers … More…
Original Harry Potter Illustration Makes Magic
Children’s book author and illustrator Thomas Taylor, at the age of 23, created the original cover art for J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, as noted by Sotheby’s catalogue description. This iconic illustration for the first edition of … More…
Sotheby’s NY Modern Discoveries Online Sale
On Wednesday, July 17th, Sotheby’s New York hosted an online sale called Modern Discoveries. While online sales are common at major auction houses, it is easy to dismiss them as places where many lower-value pieces get sold. Some see them … More…